Polk County, in collaboration with local partners, is launching a multicultural food pantry in February, the first of its kind in Central Iowa. The Global Neighbors Multicultural Welcome Pantry will expand food assistance by offering culturally specific food options to better meet the needs of immigrant and refugee households. Serving as operational lead of the multi-agency initiative, Knock and Drop Iowa will be partnering with Central Iowa-based ethnic community-based organizations the Des Moines Area Religious Council and the Food Bank of Iowa. Knock and Drop Iowa will support distribution operations and volunteer coordination in collaboration with community partners. The pantry, located at 3010 Sixth Ave. in Des Moines, will serve as a shared community resource through the Polk County Global Neighbors program and multiple community-based organizations, including African Immigrants and Refugee Transition Services, Afghan Community in Iowa and Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity. “Our families deserve food that reflects who they are, and support that meets them where they are. This pantry represents belonging, trust and our commitment to serving all cultures with respect,” Zuli Garcia, founder and CEO of Knock and Drop Iowa, said in a prepared statement. The new pantry site was previously occupied by the Polk County Northside Community Center’s on-site food pantry. The pantry will guarantee a three-day supply of healthy foods once per month for households in need, including core pantry staples, with support from the DMARC Food Pantry Network. The pantry will be open to anyone in the community seeking assistance at no cost and will not have any income restrictions or residency requirements.